The crowd was agitated anxiously, and many people had already made predictions in their hearts. The black witch with the biggest reputation in recent years - Vintonia Cleona, she transformed suddenly from Moody and caused a great commotion. When facing capture, she smiled and said this.
No one knows why she would give such a warning; isn't she with Voldemort, isn't she the one who escaped from Azkaban? If that's the case, why would she show up, why wouldn't she resist?
Perhaps she just wanted to create panic and chaos from the perspective of a black witch, which is very reasonable. After all, who wouldn't want chaos if they were a black witch? Even teachers at Hogwarts like McGonagall couldn't resist thinking that way.
But Dumbledore, the Lady of the Ministry of Magic Burns, Snape and some others knew very well that Cleona was not lying.
Now, after a brief disappearance, Harry's sudden reappearance tells them 'Voldemort has returned.'
This is the 'Harry Potter who Survived the Big Death', who defeated Voldemort and saved the wizarding world from its darkest hour.
Fudge clenched his top hat tightly, his cheeks flushed and his chest heaving violently as if he wanted to burst out, but he restrained this impulse.
Fudge looked around, taking in the faces of confusion, including those of the Order of the Phoenix--the elite of the Ministry of Magic--who were staring at him blankly as if waiting for him to make a decision to handle the situation.
Huh. Huh.
Fudge's forehead was beaded with sweat, and his complexion began to turn purple.
The resurgence of the Dark Lord means chaos, murder, death, and war. The Ministry of Magic cannot handle it alone; it must rely on Harry Potter, who defeated the Dark Lord before, and on Dumbledore, on Bran coming closer to them. Even to bow down and give up power!
Fudge pulled at his collar, feeling every thought in his head was suffocating him. He knew that many people were watching him, waiting for the decision of the Minister of Magic in the United Kingdom.
"I believe you're quite shaken up, dear. An escaped prisoner from Azkaban, who should have been locked away, caused this accident."
Fudge tried to force a smile, casting a few glances at Bran, but Bran did not look back at him, which made him hate with a fierce fury. This was clearly Bran's idea to deceive the public with a 'fake,' and he would have vouched for the Ministry. Now, however, Bran wouldn't even speak up, leaving the Ministry to face this alone!
"This matter is of no concern to the Ministry, we will strictly monitor the black witch. You have done a great job, Harry. I think it would be a good reward to give you an Order of Merlin, Second Class, but... the Dark Lord has returned, heh!"
Fudge gave a exaggerated smile,
"This is impossible, isn't it? We all know you're the one who defeated him, the Dark Lord is completely finished, right? I think Professor Miller's suggestion is good; you should go to the hospital for a check-up first. It's necessary. Look, you're already having hallucinations."
"Connelly--"
Burns spoke with a touch of worry and helplessness, but Fudge suddenly turned his head, fully assuming the authority of the Minister of Magic, and glaring at Burns fiercely. Burns was struck speechless.
"That's not a hallucination!"
Harry stared in disbelief at Fudge, not understanding why the Minister of Magic would so absurdly think he was lying. Couldn't he see the dead body of Barty Crouch Jr. lying on the ground?
"The Dark Lord has truly returned. He. He started as a hideous dwarf and then used a spell. Someone was helping him; it was Barty Crouch Jr., his son, young Barty Crouch!"
Harry was incensed. Fudge didn't understand at all what they had seen or gone through. He had barely escaped with his life, and yet Fudge was saying he was delusional.
"Oh, dear Barty Crouch Jr!"
Fudge suddenly laughed and looked around, adopting a ridiculous expression as if he had just heard a joke,
Little Barty Crouch? Too funny, he died in Azkaban thirteen years ago, Mr. Potter. I sincerely suggest you go to St. Mungo's Magical Medical Hospital for a good stay because you're starting to talk nonsense!
"In my opinion, it's you who are confused!"
Sirius was furious. He rushed in front of Harry, one hand around Harry's shoulder, completely ignoring that Fudge was his superior, glaring at him angrily.
"You know Harry isn't lying, you know Voldemort has returned, but you turn a blind eye. You're nothing but a coward through and through!"
"Sirius!"
Before Fudge, face turning green with rage, could lash out at Sirius, Dumbledore warned with a glance, then turned to Artemis, who changed his usual aggressive attitude and remained silent.
Dumbledore's blue eyes flickered with helplessness, but he suppressed that emotion, turning to say to Fudge,
"Perhaps we can hear what Harry has experienced before making any comments, Connelly. This is not the place to speak. Let's go, Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Come along."
Dumbledore suddenly became stern and decisive, waving his wand to transform into several stretchers, laying Harry and the others on them. Then he convinced Fleur to lie on one as well.
As he looked at the lifeless old Barty, Dumbledore's aged face showed a fleeting sadness, but he quickly adjusted his emotions, placing the unconscious Fawkes on top of old Barty and leading them towards the castle together.
The Ministry's people were all waiting for Fudge's instructions, but Fudge seemed to want to leave directly, unwilling to listen to Harry's ramblings. However, old Barty was still the Minister of International Magical Cooperation and a high-ranking official in the Ministry. He had to clarify how he had died.
Before Vintonia's appearance, all the students were restricted in the castle and not allowed to go out. Fletcher was guarding them in the hall.
When they saw Dumbledore leading everyone up the marble staircase, the students who had been crowded in the hall surged back into the hall, but they curiously stretched their necks.
Harry and others returning caused a cheer from Gryffindor students, but the man with his head hanging over the edge of the stretcher, with a hideous wound on his neck, made the students shudder in horror.
"It's Barty Crouch Jr.! "
Fred whispered to those around him.
"The Aurors and the staff are on guard in the Great Hall."
The group of people climbed the stairs, and Artemis stopped to speak to the Aurors who had followed.
In the British magical world, Artemis Bren was already a figure of great authority. Upon his command, the Aurors instinctively stopped and quickly set up a defense in the Great Hall. However, seeing this scene, Fudge, Umbridge, and Scrimgeour's faces immediately turned unpleasant, though they said nothing under the circumstances.
Sirius and Remus also followed, as did Professor McGonagall and Snape. However, the students from Durmstrang were somewhat at a loss. They were eager to know where their headmaster had gone, but they were just students and didn't know whether they should stay in the Great Hall or follow upstairs.
"Voldemort--"
Artemis nodded to Klump, who followed down the stairs.
"Come up here as well, to represent Durmstrang and listen to what's happening."
Klump nodded, both shyly and gratefully, and then followed upstairs.
Dumbledore assigned a private ward for the deceased Barty Crouch Jr. He temporarily did not wake up Fawkes and let it stay by the old wizard's side, while Harry and the others were all in the general ward.
Madam Pomfrey's face remained pale throughout the medical check-up for everyone, and Professor McGonagall kept her hand on her chest, a worried expression on her face. Even though most people were left downstairs, the general ward was still crowded with people, and there was an unspoken force that kept everyone quiet and waited silently——
Madam Pomfrey was very thorough. Harry was quite indignant because Madam Pomfrey had uncovered his clothes in front of so many people to examine the wounds on his body. However, when it was Hermione's turn, she kindly drew the curtain for her.
"No problem, Albus--"
Finally, Madam Pomfrey completed her examination. She said in a tone of relief after escaping a near-death experience, "Thankfully, you're not seriously injured, Harry. Most of your wounds are superficial, and I believe you'll recover quickly with some rest and good care."
"They've had some impact, a few cuts and bruises, but nothing serious. They just need plenty of rest."
"Albus, look at them all. They've been through enough. They need rest."
Professor McGonagall's thin lips trembled, and her hand still clutched her heart, as if she were on the verge of tears.
"No," Dumbledore said firmly. "We must find out what happened as soon as possible to make preparations. Speak, Harry."
(Chapter ends)
